Contesting late fee and interest. Seeking advice.

pivotresidential — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:56:15 GMT

I am at the understanding that a reasonable excuse for contesting late fees and interest is that it is an unforeseen circumstance. In my case, I have ALWAYS, for over a decade, received a refund and did not think I needed to pay anything on April 15th when I filed for an extension.

When I finally finished my taxes in early October, I discovered that I owed for 2024. So, I just paid the amount ($8.8k), assuming this would probably generate paperwork from the IRS to follow up on late fees and penalties, where I could contest it under the unexpected rule. I set up electronic filing and payment through TurboTax.

BUT, there was a problem with the TurboTax software. TurboTax kept saying there was a problem with my electronic return. After days of not finiding resolve with tech support before October 15th, a TurboTax support person told me to print out my return and mail it in. I did this and included a $8.8k payment via mail.

Weeks later, I got a $8.2k check in the mail from the IRS with no other paperwork included. I checked the IRS site online and learned that along with my mailed payment, Turbotax eventually also sent in my electronic payment and my total payment was 2x $8.8k! Good thing I had the money in the account to absorb the double payment.

Now I have to try to get my $600 back, and I'm feeling at a disadvantage because they already have my money.

Sorry for the long story, but I am looking through the IRS website and getting ready to contact the IRS for the proper process.

Any Advice or direction from the forum is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Re: Contesting late fee and interest. Seeking advice.

MindyB — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:37:51 GMT

Since you have a clean record of compliance for over a decade, you qualify for a First-Time Abate (FTA) waiver. You don't even have to prove an 'unforeseen circumstance', the IRS will typically remove the late filing and payment penalties.

Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and tell them you are calling to request a First-Time Abate administrative waiver for your 2024 penalties and you'd like a refund.

topic Contesting late fee and interest. Seeking advice. in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Contesting late fee and interest. Seeking advice.

Re: Contesting late fee and interest. Seeking advice.